

6 ways to beat the mid-day slump
We’ve all been there. We wake up, get to work, and start diving into the mountain of projects positioned on our desk. And then, suddenly, it’s 2:00 and our energy completely fizzles out. We stare at our screen for awhile and glance at the clock after what feels like an hour. It’s 2:05. We think to ourselves, “How in the world am I going to make it 3 more hours before the day ends?” Tick, tock. It’s the midday slump. Everyone experiences it. No matter how excited and energized


How a 171-page novel changed my life
A few summers ago, I read The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. In the beginning, I was unsure whether or not I was someone who would enjoy a fictional story that was a complete metaphor for life and its struggles. But, it was an easy read, so I really didn’t have an excuse not to see what it had to offer. After reading the final words, I had learned so much more than I ever imagined and began telling coworkers, friends, family, and anyone who would listen, that they needed to buy


Behind Mama's Happy: A conversation with Amanda Ficek (Part 2)
As Amanda tells me her story, my fingers flick against the laptop keys. I can’t help but think her story foreshadows my own. My husband and I have been talking about moving out of the city. I’ve been dreaming about quitting my job and committing fully to my business. Was this a fluke that we are meeting? Today? As she goes on, I think: This was no coincidence. The Ficeks continued renting their hobby farm for another year, while they remodeled the upper level of the store to


Behind Mama's Happy: A conversation with Amanda Ficek (Part 1)
On a dusty Saturday afternoon, I head west. A dot on the map, Independence is full of open spaces, curvy roads and horse farms. And a gem of a shop called Mama’s Happy. I pull up and make my way inside the store. I’m surrounded by upcycled treasures, reclaimed wooden benches, handmade jewelry and lavender-scented candles. In the middle of the store sits a work station. A handful of women huddle around, chatting about the best place to hang an antique mirror. I tentatively app